Electrically ignited gas torch with shut-off valve and latch therefor

ABSTRACT

A plumber&#39;&#39;s gas torch has a conventional flame-adjustment valve, in series with that valve, an one-off valve is lever operated and is latched open automatically on operation of the lever. A piezoelectric igniter is actuated by the lever to ignite the torch simultaneous with opening of the on-off valve. Another series valve is automatically closed when the torch tip is unscrewed and is reopened as another tip is attached. A trigger releases the latch and allows the on-off valve to close under spring pressure.

Ross

[54] ELECTRICALLY IGNITED GAS TORCH WITH SHUT-OFF VALVE AND LATCH 1 THEREFOR [72] Inventor: Albert Ross, Willowick, Ohio [73] Assignee: Harris Calorific Company, Cleveland, Ohio [22] Filed: Sept. 18, 1970 [21] App1.No.: 73,576

[52] US. Cl..'. ..431/255 [51] Int. Cl. ..F23q 3/00 [58] Field ofSearch .431/255; 8l/9.5; 257/103, 107,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,208,850 7/1940 Mayer ..251/109 3,220,459 11/1965 Wilson ..431/255 2120 I416 5OGA462 [151 3,694,134 [451 Sept. 26, 1972 McDonald ..8 l/ 9.5 3,155,140 ll/1964 Wilson ..431/255 X 3,255,803 6/1966 Hach ..431/255 X 3,333,491 8/1967 Hurlbut ..81/9.5

Primary Examiner-Edward G. Favors Attorney-Meyer, Tilberry & Body 5 ABSTRACT is actuated by the lever to ignite the torch simultaneous with opening of the on-off valve. Another series valve is automatically closed when the torch tip is unscrewed and is reopened as another tip is attached. A

. trigger releases the latch and allows the on-off valve to close under spring pressure.

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ATTORNEYS,

ELECTRICALLY IGNITED GAS TORCH WITH SHUT-OFF VALVE AND LATCH THEREFOR RELATED APPLICATIONS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention pertains to the art of electrically ig:

nited gas-burning torches and more particularly "165 1 "Ma L I torches used for soldering and brazing operationsg f plumbers torches) and the invention will "be described with particular reference thereto; however, it

will be' appreciated that the invention may have broader applications although many of the problems in soldering and brazing work are peculiar to such applications and are not generally found in many industrial applications. i

2. Description of the Prior Art It has been the practice in plumbing operations to use a gas torch having a single, screw-operated, valve at the back end of the handle which serves as a shut-off valve and also a meansto adjust the flame. Conventionally, the user connects the torch with the hose of a pressure-regulator which in turn is connected with a cylinder or bottle of gas. I

Having connected the torch;with its valve closed, to' the hoseand having pressurized-the hose, the user or operator holds a frictionsparking device in the vicinity It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide agas torch which will eliminate much of the lost motion that is routine with high-priced labor using conventional gas torches.

It is another object of this inventionto provide a gasv torch which enables the user to turn off the flame without'disturbing the flame adjustment so that re-ignition of theflame instantly provides the same flame the .user had when he shut the torch off.

"A further object is to provide a torch which is easily ignited so that users will be: encouraged to turn the torch off instead of leaving a burning torch unattended.

It is yet another object to provide .a torch-with an operator-operable shut-off valve and a self-contained ignition system, which the operator can use without keeping a cramp-inducing grip on the torch and which allows free manipulation of the torch into whatever attitude' may berequired to put the flame-exactly where the-operator wishes to put it.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION first lit by theuser squeezing the torch handle toactuateithe lever controlling the igniter and the on-off valve. A trigger-like projection on the latchis engageable by the user to unlatch the mechanism and permit a spring in the on-off valve to return the valve parts to the of the flameend of the torch tip,'opens the valve, and

gas and ,to prevent his coming into accidental contact with the torchflame. When he isagain ready for heat, he looks around for and eventually locates the sparking device, and the cycle of ignition and flame adjustment starts all over again. Or he may lay the-burning torch down for just a minute in the expectation that his preparation for the next heat application will be brief. Then, finding that he. has to go to his truck for something, he probably turns the gas valve off to save gas and to prevent burning the building down.-

Such time-wasting lost motion is expensive and the constant relighting of the torch irritating.

There now are some prior art piezoelectric crystal-ignited torches having lever-operated shut-ofi' valves, in which the on-off valve is in series with and independent of the flame adjusting valve. However, such torches require a continuous grip on the handle to keep the onoff valve open, and this results in two serious drawbacks: l. Fatigue, especially in the form of cramping of the hand and arm muscles; and 2. Awkwardness in use of the torch because the type of work requires a large amount of manipulation in order to direct the flame to a fixed installation which seldom lends itself to a convenient hold of the torch and the lever.

closed position, shutting off gas flow without disturbing the setting of the flame adjusting valve. A torch tip is removable,- and closes a third valve when removed.

Electrical connection for the spark gap is through the third valve. v

THE DRAWINGS A The invention may take physical form in certain parts and'arrangements of parts, a preferred embodiment of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which forma part hereof and wherein:

' FIG. 1 is a side view. of a torch made according to this invention, with one side of the handle removed and with parts broken away and in section.

FIG. 2is a view in detail of the actuator for the-on-off valve, and part of the operator-operable lever, being a view substantially on the line. 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view, .with parts broken away 1 and in section, of the frontportion of the handle to show how-the torch tip is attached to the handle, and to show details of the third valve and the electrical connection made through the third valve; and

' FIG. 4 is a'view in section substantially on line 4-4 of FIG. 3. I

' Referring nowto the drawings in more detail,

wherein'the illustrations are forthe purpose of setting secured to the forward end of the handle isadapted for easy attachment with respect to a torch tip F. The eleing spark to jump across a spark gap S within the torch tip F and near the open end thereof, said open end being indicated at H. A lever I is pivotally mounted on handle A and serves as operator-operable means to actuate both the on-off valve D and the piezoelectric device G. Suitable conduit means I are provided to complete a gas circuit from the body of the valve D to the element E. An actuator K is provided in the handle, and at the left end of actuator K as seen in FIG. 1, the actuator engages the movable valve element of on-off valve D. Intermediate the ends of actuator K, the actuator is engaged by the operator-operable means I. At its right end as seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, actuator K cooperates with a latch indicated generally at L.

Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the handle A is preferably of metal and is preferably in two parts, split along the plane of the paper as seen in FIG. 1 Threadedopenings 2, 4, and 6 are preferablyprovided to receive the threaded ends of holding devices such as conventional cap screws passing through suitable openings in the removed half of handle A, which is shown removed in FIG. 1 to expose the details of the torch to the observer for a' more easily understood description of those details. Handle A provides the basic supportfor the remaining elements of the torch.

Thus, handle A carries at its rear end a fitting B wherein there is provided a conventional flame-adjusting valve indicated generally at C andhaving a suitable handle 8 secured to a metering valve element 10 which cooperates with the body of the fitting B to permit an infinite variation of gas flow through the valve C so that the operator can adjust the torchflame to suit the-particular job. A packing gland nut 12 is provided in the flame-adjusting valve C, and includes means for accomplishing the usual fluid seal function, as well as means for applying a variable resistance to the turning of the stem on which handle 8 is secured, thus assuring that the handle 8 will remain in the position to which it is adjusted by the operator, rather than moving out of adjustment because it may be accidentally brushed against the users body, or against some item of equipment, or the floor, or the like.

Flame-adjusting valve C and .on-ofi valve D are joined by a threaded engagement indicated at 14. More specifically, the valve body '16 of on-off valve D is secured in the back end of handle A by an internal flange 18 of handle A engaging a reduced diameter surface 20 on valve body 16 and by cap screws engaging both ends of threaded opening 2. A lock nut 21 secures fitting B and .valve body 16 against disengagement. The

:extreme left end of fitting B as seen in FIG. 1 is threaded as shown at 22 to cooperate with an internally threaded hose fitting which is adapted to be secured to the fitting B to provide gas under pressure for the operation of the torch.

The right'end of valve body l6,is provided with a Iongitudinal bore 24 which communicates directly with a larger longitudinal bore 26 to provide a shoulder 28 at their junction plane, the shoulder 28 preferably being conical in form as shown in the illustrated preferred embodiment. A bore 30 in the right end of fitting B cooperates with the bores 26 and 24 to form a recess which is generally cylindrical in configuration to receive the longitudinally movable parts of the on-off valve D. Thus, in the preferred embodiment shown, a valve element 34 is shown as being provided with a flange 36. To the. right of flange 36 as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, element 34 is grooved slightly to receive an O- ring 38 which cooperates with the shoulder 28 and the flange 36 to seal the fluid passage through the bores 26 and 24. In the preferred embodiment shown, bores 24 and 26 are joined by a slightly smaller diameter bore 40 to provide a greater seating area of shoulder 28 for engagement'of the 0-ring 38. I

A helical spring 42 lies largely in the bore 30, seating at its left end in the end of the bore and seating at its right end against the left face of flange 36, to bias the valve element 34 toward the right into valve closed position.

The right end of valve element 34 lies in the smaller diameter bore 40 referred to above, and is adapted to abut against a plunger 44 which extends out through the right end of the valve body 16, being suitably packed by a fluid seal such asan 0-ring 46. The extreme right end of plunger 44 carries a reduced-diameter projection 48 which engages a corresponding hole in the left end of the valve actuator K, so that the shoulder formed by projection 48 allows the plunger 44 to abut against the left end of actuator K for movement of plunger 44 by actuator K toward the left against the bias of spring 42.

Actuator Kfmay take any suitable shape, but in the preferred embodiment shown, the actuator is a closed and bent loop of metal, the left end of which abuts against plunger 44, designated by 50, being bent at almost right angles to the remainder of the actuator loop, said loop having a slight bend at 52 to conform to the shape of the handle in which it lies. The loop forms an elongated opening shown at 54 to receive the lower portion of a frame 56 as seen in FIG. 1 of the piezoelectric igniter device. Igniter device G is a source of voltage produced by the distortion of crystals, and is disclosed and claimed in US. Pat. No. 3,469,1l9, issued Sept. 23, 1969 to D. B. Parkinson, and assigned to the Clevite Corporation, a Corporation of Ohio. In view of the disclosure in the Parkinson patent, no discussion of the details of the voltage source is necessary.

The actuator K is provided with shoulders 57 on each side of the closed loop, said shoulders being adapted to have abutting engagement with the edges 58 of substantially parallel flanges 60 which are formed integral with and constitute a part of the lever I. Flanges 60 cooperate with pivots 62 which turn in openings in the two halves of handle A. The two pivots may be formed in any suitable conventional manner, but in the preferred embodiment shown, they are joined as one to form a shaft, the portion between the pivot-forming ends serving as the element to engage the crystal for applying pressure thereto as disclosed in the aboveidentified Parkinson patent.

At its extreme right end as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the closed loop forming the actuator K embodies a crossmember 64 which may be referred to as a latch-engaging tip in view of its role in the latching function. Latchengaging tip 64 is adapted to be received in a recess 66 I of latch L, recess 66 also incorporating a shoulder 68 which is adapted to engage the right end of tip 64 in abutting relationshipin the latched position of the several parts. At its opposite sides, the latch L carries a pair of aligned stub shafts or pivots, one of which is shown at 70, and which arereceivedin appropriate openings in the two halves of handle A. A suitable torsion spring 72 preferably makes one complete wrap around at least one of the stub shafts 70, having one end 74 engaging the upper edge of the latch L and another end 76 engaging an internal surface of the handle A, the arrangement of spring 72 being such that the spring biases the latch L counter-clockwise as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 3. The trigger-like projection 78 on latch L extends out of the handle through a slot 80 provided for that purpose. 1

Element E is secured in the forward end of handle A by means of threaded members extending. through suitable openings in the two sides of handle A and engaging threaded openings in the fitting E, such as the one shown at 6 and described above. Gas conduit J is engaged by a socket 82 in element E, and communicates with a fluid passage 84 provided in the element.

In the preferred embodiment, element E is provided with a stepped bore having two sizes as shown at 86 and 88. The two openings 86 and 88 join at ashoulder 90 which is preferably conical in configuration. Because of the self-contained electrical igniter, the element E is preferably electrically conductive..An electrically nonconductive element 92 is disposed in the longitudinal bore of conductive element Non-conductive element 92 is also provided with a longitudinal bore 94 which is substantially coaxial with the longitudinal bore of element E. It will be noted that bore'94 is open at both ends of element 92, and adjacent one end of the bore, a shoulder 96 is provided for a purpose to be described hereinafter. A flange 98 at one end of element 92 lies in the large portion 88 of the bore in element E and is adapted to engage the conical shoulder 90 referred to above.,A plurality of radial bores 100 are arranged in an external groove 102 in element 92 and serve to communicate conduit J with bore 94 by way of fluid passage 84 in element E, groove 102 in element 92,'and radial bores 100 in element 92. I

An electrically conductive element 104 is mounted to reciprocate in the bore 94, and is provided with a flange 106 adjacent its end 108. A fluid seal such as an O-ring 110 is provided adjacent the flange 106, between the flange and the shoulder 96, so that movement of valve element 104 to the right as seen in FIG. 3 compresses the O-ring 110 between flange 106 and shoulder 96 to effect the desired fluid seal. it will be noted that, in the valve-closed position in which the O- ring 1 is in tight engagement with shoulder 96, the O- ring is on thedownstli am side of the radial bores or passages 100, thus effectively sealing the fluid conduit J against further flow of gas when valve element 104 is in the valve-closed position.

The left ends of bored elements E and 92 engage a non-conductive bushing 112 which secures an electrical terminal indicated generally at 114 and comprised of a plurality of parts aswill be hereinafter detailed.

Thus, non-conductive bushing 112 is externally threaded as at 115 to engage a corresponding internal thread in the non-conductive element 92; a larger and unthreaded surface 116 engages a suitably shaped counterbore in the extreme left end of element E. Bushing 112 is provided with a stepped and substantially central bore to receive the electrical terminal in its several parts consisting of a terminal button 118 in the very end of bushing 112 and a conventional flathead screw 120 having a pointed tip 122 in electrically conductive contact with terminal button 118. Screw 120 has external threads in engagement with cooperating internal threads in the bushing 112. A spring 126 is seated at its left end against the flat head of screw 120 and at its right end engages the closed end 108 of valve element 104, and thus serves to bias the valve element 104 toward its valve-closed position.

Reference was made, above to the closed end 108 of valve element'104. To the right of a plane adjacent to O-ring 110, valve element 104 is provided with a longitudinal bore 128, and a plurality of radial bores 130 communicate thelongitudinal bore 128 at its left end with longitudinal bore 94 and radial bores 100 in nonconductive element 92.

As described briefly above, a torch tip F is coupled with element E in any suitable manner, as, for example, by a nut 132 held in the open end of element-E by a snap ring 134. Nut 132 is internally threaded as shown at 136 to cooperate with the externally threaded end of torch tip F. A gas-mixing nozzle 138 is securedin the bore of said threaded end of torch tip F. Mixing nozzle 138 is electrically conductive and is held in the end of the torch tip by means of a non-conductive sleeve 140, sleeve 140 having a head 142 outside the bore of the torch tip and abutting against the end thereof. Sleeve 140 is provided with ,a stepped bore having a larger diameter at the head end than at its opposite end, the two different diameters forming a shoulder against which a flange l44-on nozzle 138 abuts in order to keep nozzle 138 from being pushedout of the bore to the right as seen in FIG. 3. The larger diameter portion of the stepped bore in which flange 144 lies is of a size adapted to form a slip fit with the external surface of the longitudinally bored end of valve element 104. More specifically, in. the assembled relationship of torch tip F and element E, head 142 of sleeve 140 engages flange 98 of non-conductive element 92 with the bored end of valve element 104 lying in the large diameter portion of the bore of sleeve 140, the open end of valve element 104 being in electrically conductive contact with the flanged end 144 of mixing nozzle 138. Closely adjacent to its handle end, torch tip F is provided with a plurality of radial air inlet passages 146 lying substantially in a plane in contact with the discharge end of mixing nozzle 138, and communicating with the fluid passage 147 of the torch tip immediately downstream of sleeve 140.

Reference was made above to the fact that the mixing nozzle 138 is electrically conductive. A conductor of .electricity in the form of a bare wire 148 is in electrically conductive contact with mixing nozzle 138. ln the preferred embodiment shown, this is accomplished by compressing a short length of the bare wire between the external surface of nozzle 138 and the surface of the bore of sleeve 140 in the vicinity of the nozzle discharge end of that sleeve. The right end of sleeve 140 is counterbored to receive a metal collar 149 which engages bare wire 148 and holds it in place in sleeve 140. As the wire extends outward away from the immediate vicinity of sleeve'140, it is surrounded by a layer of insulation 150 to become an insulated conductor 151,, conductor 151 being secured in any suitable way to the inner wall of fluid passage 147 of torch tip F. As the insulated conductor 151 approaches the flame end 152, namely at a plane XX transverse to the direction of flow in the torch tip, insulated conductor 151 begins to leave the wall of the torchtip, until it is substantially spaced from the wall at its end 154 just inside the extreme open end or flame end H of the torch tip. The insulation 150 stops just past the end 154 so that the extreme end is exposed, or bare.

For the purpose of maintaining a stable flame at the open end of the torch tip, it is desirable that the gas flow be laminar as the gas approaches the flame. If conductor 151 were to lie immediately adjacent the inner wall of the torch tip at its closest point to the flame, the resulting shape of the fluid passage would be such as to encourage turbulent flow of gas in the passage, making foran unstable condition in the flame. To avoid such instability in the gas flow and in the resulting gas flame, the end 154 of conductor 151 is spaced from the inner wall as shown in F1GS."3 and 4 of the drawing. Such spacing'can be accomplished in a number of ways, but in the preferred embodiment shown, the end 154 is spaced from the inner wall of the torch tip by means of a conductive support which engages the insulated covering 150 of insulated conductor 151 at the end 154 and is in conductive contact with the electrically conductive torch tip F, which at its outer end includes a piece which is here shown as a flame-supporting nozzle 156 secured to and forming a portion of the end of torch tip F. More specifically, fluid passage 147 is provided by a threaded coupling end 158, a gas tube 160, andthe flame-supporting nozzle 156. The gas tube 160, in the preferred embodiment shown, carries a reduceddiameter portion 162 near its outer end, which engages a suitably-sized bore in the flame-supporting nozzle 156 and preferably, the bore in flame-supporting nozzle 156 terminates in a shoulder 164. The preferred embodiment of the spacer for the end of the ignition wire comprises a loop 166 of resilient wire which need not form a complete circle. As shown, loop 166 lies between the end of the tube 160 and the shoulder 164; it begins at a point indicated at 168, and approximately two-thirds aroundthe bore from the starting point 168, wire 166 bends inward at 170 toward the center of the gas tube 160 where it terminates in a loop 171 around insulation 150. Spark gap S is thus provided between the bare end 172 of conductor 151 and either wire 166 or the inner wall of tube 160 or both. The end 154 need not be at the exact geometric center of the gas tube, but should be spaced far enough from the wall to insure a shower of sparks from the bare exposed end 172 of the ignition wire and to permit laminar flow of gas approaching flame end H.

The determining factors for the location of plane XX are: First, providing laminar flow of gas in the approach to the flame so as to produce a maximum of stability in the flame itself; and second, provide adequate physical support for conductor 151. Plane XX may be disposed from 4 to 6 diameters back from the very end of the flame-supporting nozzle 156, and in the preferred embodiment shown, plane XX is 5 diameters upstream from the discharge end of torch tip F.

OPERATION In operation, assuming that the torch is connected with a source of combustible gas at a suitable pressure, and that the flame-adjusting valve C is open, the operator or user of the torch squeezes the handle so as to actuate the lever I toward the handle. In so doing, the user distorts the piezoelectric crystal of the device G, as is explained in the above-identified patent No. 3,469,119 to Parkinson, and a voltage is generated by the device G. Because the frame of device G is grounded, it will suffice to trace the electric circuit for the ignition system by starting with the cable 180 which is provided inner wall of gas tube 160 to a plane approximately 5 diameters from the discharge end of the torch tip. At this point, insulated conductor 151 begins to lead away from the inner wall of the gas tube to a spacer where the end 154 of the insulated wire terminates in a bare and exposed electrical conductor 172 pointed toward the wall of the torch tip F, the spacer consisting of a loop of wire 166 bent away from the tube inner wall at 170. The voltage quickly builds up to a great enough value to cause a shower of sparks to jump across the gap between the end of wire 172 and the inner wall of the torch tip F or wire 166, or both. As always in such cases, the spark takes the path of least resistance; in practice, this results in a showerof sparks because several paths of substantially equal resistance are available. v

Meanwhile, as lever Iturns about the pivots 62, in a clock-wise direction as seen in FIG. l, the parallel flanges 60 on the lever I having edges 58 in engagement with the shoulders 57, push the actuator K toward the left as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. The end 50 of actuator K abuts against the plunger 44 and forces it to the left against the bias of spring 42, moving the valve element 34 from the valve-closed position shown in the figures to a valve-open position, whereupon fluid flows through the flame-adjusting valve C, to the large bore 30 in fitting B. Gas flows around flange 36 and around and past the O-ring 38, into the bore 24 and into conduit J. From the end of conduit J in socket 82, gas flows though the passage 84, through the radial bores in the non-conductive element 92, through radial bores and into longitudinal bore 128 of valve element 104. Gas flows into and through mixing nozzle 138, which terminates in the plane of radial bores 146 which admit air into the torch tip F. The mixture of air and combustible gas flows through the torch tip, and in the straight portion from plane XX'to the very outer end H of the torch tip, the gaseous mixture begins to assume a laminar flow until it reaches the bare end 172 of the ignition wire where the shower of sparks ignites the gas and a flame forms at the outer end H of the torch tip.

Once a flame, adjusted as desired, is in operation, a steady-state condition is soon established, and laminar flow of gas takes place in the approach to the flame, assuring a steady and constant flame such as could not exist if the gas flow were turbulent as the mixture approached th'e flame.

Latch engaging tip 64 is, of course, an integral part of the actuator K, so that as actuator K moves to the left as seen in FIGS. 1 and 3 to open the on-off valve D,tip

'64 moves far enough to the left so that torsion spring 72 may. rotate latch L in a counter-clockwise direction, whereupon shoulder 68 is in a position to engage the rightedge of latch engaging tip 64 as soon as the operator or user of the torch releases his pressure on lever l. Spring 42 in the on-off valve D will then keep enough tension on the actuator K, pushing latch-engaging tip 64 tightly against the shoulder 68, which by this time is below the line of force from the center of element 48 on plunger 44 to the axis of the pivot 70 of latch L. The latch L will remain in the latched position, holding the on-off valve D open. The flame is now established because the on-off valve is open and the user their adjusts the flame to whatever type or size flame he wants by manipulating handle 8 of the flame-adjusting valve C. Because the on-off valve is held open'by the latch, the operator is free to hold the torch handle A in any position he wishes without regard to any. need to maintain the lever I in'any position, so that he can let the lever I assume the position shown in ,FIG. 1 of the drawings. In fact, .even if the user should actuate lever I again, or hold it pressed against the handle, or in an intermediate position, itwill not affect operation of the torch, because the on-off valve D is held open by the latchingmeans. Moreover, the hand which holds the torch need not assume a cramp-inducing position, so that handand arm muscles'will not become cramped due to. the fatigue which would follow from the necessary effortto keep the on-off valve D in the open position. As a result, operator fatigue is virtually eliminated. When the op'erator wishes to shut the valve D off to shut off thetorch, all he needs to do is engagethe trigger projection 78, moving it toward the rear of the torch, whereupon the latch is disengaged and spring 42 is allowed to return the valve element 34 to its valveclosed position.

' If the user or operator decides that he needs a different torch tip because of a different type of job, he disengages torch tip F from the element E by turning either the torch tip itself or nut 132 in order to disengage the nut and the torch tip at their threaded engagement. As these two parts are unscrewed, the mixing nozzle 138 is moved away from valve element 104, so that spring 126 is able to move the valve element toward the right as seen in FIG. 3, namely, to its valve closed position in which the O-ring 110 is pressed between the flange 106 and the shoulder 96, whereupon flow through the longitudinal bore 128 of valve element 104 is completely blocked, even if the on-off valve D should be open.

The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment. Obvious modifications and alterations will occur to others upon their reading and understanding of this specification. It is my intention to I include all such modifications and alternations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalence thereof.

I What is claimed is:

'1. An electrically ignited gas torch comprising: a housing, a gas circuit in said housing having inlet and outlet ends, a valve connected in said gas circuit between said inlet and outlet ends and movable between open and closed positions to control gas flow between said inlet and outlet ends, an eIectric igniter circuit including piezoelectric-means in said housing actuable to generate a voltage, I manually actuable. operating means mounted for movement between first and second positions relative to said housing, means connecting said piezoelectric means for actuation when said operating means is moved to said first position thereof, a valve actuator in said housing movable to a displaced position to open said valve in response to movement of said operating means to said first position, said valve actuator having a latching surface movable therewith, a latch supported by said housing for pivotal movement about an axis fixed relative to said housing and valve actuator, said latch having a latching shoulder movable into a position for latching engagement with saidlatching surface of said valve actuator to retain said actuator in said displaced position thereof, and spring means between said housing and latch biasing said latch into engagement with said valve actuator and operable to pivot said latching shoulder into said latching position relative to said latching surface in response to movement of said valve actuator to said displaced position, whereby said valve is held in the open position independent of said operating means, said latch having an operating portion extending from said housing for pivoting said latch against the bias of said spring means to pivot said latching shoulder out of said latching position to release said actuator.

' 2. The torch according to claim 1, wherein said housing has a rear end, and a front end for supporting a torch tip, said operating means including a portion extending from said housing between said front and rear ends and having exposed front and rear portions, said exposed front portion of said operating being closer to said front end of said housing than said exposed rear portion of said operating means, and said operating portion of said latch means being disposed forwardly of said exposed front portion of said operating means.

3. The torch according to claim 1, and spring means biasing said valve toward the closed position thereof, said valve actuator being interconnected with said valve for movement therewith whereby said valve biasing spring means is operable to close said valve and return said actuator to its undisplaced position in response to movement of said latching shoulder out of said latching position.

4. The torch according to claim 1, wherein said operating portion of said latch projects from said housing adjacent said operating means, and spring means biasing said valve actuator and said latching surface toward said latching shoulder whereby upon pivotal movement of said latching shoulder out of said latching position with said latching surface said valve actuator is biased toward the undisplaced position thereof to close said valve.

5. The torch according to claim 4, wherein said housing has a rear end, and a front end for supporting a torch tip, said operating means including a portion extending from said housing between said front and rear ends and having exposed front and rear portions, said exposed front portion of said operating means being closer to said front end of said housing than'said exposed rear portion of said operating means, and said operating portion of said latch means being disposed forwardly of said exposed front portion of said operating means.

6. The torch according to claim 4, wherein said valve actuator includesa plate portion having an end defining said latching surface and said latch includes a recess adjacent said latching shoulder adapted to receive said end of said actuator when said latching shoulder is pivoted out of said latching position, a wall of said.

recess engaging said end of said actuator for said actuator to restrain spring biased pivotal movement of said latch to move said latching shoulder into said latching position, said end of said actuator moving out of engagement with said wall of the recess upon movement of the actuator to its displaced position thus to release said latch for spring biased pivotal movement of said latching shoulder to said latching position.

* i k I! 

1. An electrically ignited gas torch comprising: a housing, a gas circuit in said housing having inlet and outlet ends, a valve connected in said gas circuit between said inlet and outlet ends and movable between open and closed positions to control gas flow between said inlet and outlet ends, an electric-igniter circuit including piezoelectric means in said housing actuable to generate a voltage, manually actuable operating means mounted for movement between first and second positions relative to said housing, means connecting said piezoelectric means for actuation when said operating means is moved to said first position thereof, a valve actuator in said housing movable to a displaced position to open said valve in response to movement of said operating means to said first position, said valve actuator having a latching surface movable therewith, a latch supported by said housing for pivotal movement about an axis fixed relative to said housing and valve actuator, said latch having a latching shoulder movable into a position for latching engagement with said latching surface of said valve actuator to retain said actuator in said displaced position thereof, and spring means between said housing and latch biasing said latch into engagement with said valve actuator and operable to pivot said latching shoulder into said latching position relative to said latching surface in response to movement of said valve actuator to said displaced position, whereby said valve is held in the open position independent of said operating means, said latch having an operating portion extending from said housing for pivoting said latch against the bias of said spring means to pivot said latching shoulder out of said latching position to release said actuator.
 2. The torch according to claim 1, wherein said housing has a rear end, and a front end for supporting a torch tip, said operating means including a portion extending from said housing between said front and rear ends and having exposed front and rear portions, said exposed front portion of said operating being closer to said front end of said housing than said exposed rear portion of said operating means, and said operating portion of said latch means being disposed forwardly of said exposed front portion of said operating means.
 3. The torch according to claim 1, and spring means biasing said valve toward the closed position thereof, said valve actuator being interconnected with said valve for movement therewith whereby said valve biasing spring means is operable to close said valve and return said actuator to its undisplaced position in response to movement of said latching shoulder out of said latching position.
 4. The torch according to claim 1, wherein said operating portion of said latch projects from said housing adjacent said operating means, and spring means biasing said valve actuator and said latching surface toward said latching shoulder whereby upon pivotal movement of said latching shoulder out of said latching position with said latching surface said valve actuator is biased toward the undisplaced position thereof to close said valve.
 5. The torch according to claim 4, wherein said housing has a rear end, and a front end for supporting a torch tip, said operating means including a portion extending from said housing between said front and rear ends and having exposed front and rear portions, said exposed front portion of said operating means being closer to said front end of said housing than said exposed rear portion of said operating means, and said operating portion of said latch means being disposed forwardly of said exposed front portion of said operating means.
 6. The torch according to claim 4, wherein said valve actuator includes a plate portion having an end defining said latching surface and said latch includes a recess adjacent said latching shoulder adapted to receive said end of said actuator when said latching shoulder is pivoted out of said latching position, a wall of said recess engaging said end of said actuator for said actuator to restrain spring biased pivotal movement of said latch to move said latching shoulder into said latching position, said end of said actuator moving out of engagement with said wall of the recess upon movement of the actuator to its displaced position thus to release said latch for spring biased pivotal movement of said latching shoulder to said latching position. 